Canada

Journey into some of the most remote and inspiring wilderness that Canada has to offer. The Coast Mountains are some of the most inaccessible and unexplored mountains in North America. Home to British Columbia’s highest peaks and most spectacular alpine wilderness, the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast is an untapped frontier wilderness that is one of Canada’s best kept secrets. A secret we look forward to sharing with you!

US$3,275

(for 4 to 12 guests)

The Chilcotin

From Williams Lake to Bella Coola, BC

Hike stunning turquoise glacier lakes

Float plane flight over the Monarch ice fields

Overnight in unique back country cabins

Private fiord exploration and secret hot springs

Visit 10,000yr old Nuxalt petroglyphs

View Grizzly Bears in the wild

If you are craving wilderness, adventure, and comfort all in one, this is the trip for you! Canada’s most scenic mountain ranges, abundant wildlife, remote untapped wilderness, passionate professional guides and gourmet meals are just some of the highlights on this inspiring adventure experience. Join us as we journey into one of Canada’s best kept secrets, the undiscovered natural paradise of British Columbia’s Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region.

Day 1Float Plane into Chilcotin Wilderness, Hike to Cabin

Welcome! We’ll pick you up at your accommodation in the morning and whisk you away into the Chilcotin Wilderness. Heading out over the mighty Fraser River and into the high dry plateau of The Chilcotin, we’ll be on our way to the start of an inspiring adventure! We’ll make our way to Nimpo Lake, The Float Plane Capital of British Columbia, and gear up to fly into the wilderness. After boarding our 1949 De Havilland Beaver Float Plane, we’ll fly over BC’s Coastal Mountains.

After our 20-minute flight, we'll find ourselves in a remote alpine valley, from where we will hike to our base camp for the next few nights (while our pilot drops off our supplies at the cabin!). The hike will take about four hours, with a 400 metre elevation gain and loss. Our back-country cabin is set on Wilderness Lake, one of the most scenic alpine settings in the Coast Mountains, bordered by beautiful snow-capped mountains. A truly unique cabin and alpine setting that will leave you breathless.

Note: depending on the weather conditions today, we may fly directly to our cabin.

Day 2Alpine hike to Glacier Lake and Wilderness Mountain

An early rise to the sounds of the wilderness, after a delicious breakfast we’ll gear up for a day of exploring our beautiful wilderness valley. We’ll hike up to a nearby glacier and Glacier Lake, and depending on how the group is feeling, we can explore part of Wilderness Mountain, offering an accessible fun ridge line, which has incredible expansive views over the Coast Mountains and Waddington Range. The hike will take anywhere from five to eight hours, with an elevation gain/loss of 250-900 metres). Once back at base, spend the evening canoeing around the lakeside and taking in the awe-inspiring surroundings while your guides make dinner.

Day 3Alpine hike to Flat Top Mountain

Today we’ll be getting our legs working yet again, as we set out for another full day of hiking in this pristine alpine paradise. Depending on the weather we’ll make our way up a nearby peak called Flat Top Mountain, offering spectacular views over Mt. Monarch and her nearby jagged peaks. This route is a fabulous full day hike, which has us taking a super scenic cirque down the west side of Flat Top Mountain, walking through alpine flowers, pristine alpine lakes, and an area where wild Caribou like to hang out. Today's hike takes anywhere from five to seven hours, with an elevation gain/loss of 500 metres.

Day 4Alpine hike, fly over the Monarch Ice Fields

Today’s our last day in the back country, as we make our way back to Nimpo Lake. This is the backpacking portion of the trip, a peaceful three hour hike (elevation gain: 150 metres, elevation loss 300 metres) where we’ll reconnect with our trusty pilot and float plane for an incredible scenic flight! This scenic flight was recently voted one of the top five in the world!

First we'll fly over the Monarch Ice Fields. These ice fields are some of the most heavily-glaciated sub-polar mountain ranges on earth. You will see BC’s highest peak, Mount Waddington pierce through the sky at an impressive 4,016 metres.

Add in an astonishing number of glaciers and brilliant turquoise filled lakes, vastness, and the majestic Coastal Mountains, this flight makes for one very memorable experience. View Canada’s third highest waterfall, Hunlen Falls at 253 metres), along with views of the remote lake chains of Turner Lakes. Talk about flying high!

Arriving back to Nimpo Lake, you’ll have some free time to enjoy a good hot shower, and some down time, before a nice gourmet dinner. Tonight’s accommodation is set right on Nimpo Lake, in some comfortable classic Canadian log cabins.

Day 5Glacial Valleys, Giant Trees, Ancient Petroglyphs & Hot Springs!

Enjoying the call of the Loons, a delicious breakfast and coffee, we shall set out for another day of beauty and adventure! Today we’ll make our way to the gateway of the Great Bear Rainforest and coastal town of Bella Coola. We’ll drive the famous “Heckman Pass” altitude 1,524 m and grades up to 18% which takes us into the stunning and remote Bella Coola Valley. This deep glacially-carved valley is an undiscovered natural paradise. Abundant wildlife, giant cedar trees, mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls - this is a landscape that will stay with you forever. Truly a secret place that inspires us and our adventure seekers! A place that is not touristy, off the beaten path and jaw-droppingly gorgeous, be the first to tell your friends about it!

This afternoon we’ll board a private chartered vessel and head out into the South Bentick Arm of the Bella Coola Fiord to explore the waterways of this magical place. Our Captain is a true local, who loves sharing his knowledge and adventures of living in such a wild place! He’ll take us to some secret hot springs set deep in some giant coastal cedar trees, where you can soak your tired muscles!

Returning back to land, we’ll take a short hike to see the ancient petroglyphs (rock carvings). Set amongst the giant cedar trees, these carvings are said to be some of the oldest, dating from over 10,000 years ago!

Day 6Grizzly Bears, Alpine Hiking Bella Coola

Rising early, we set out to go see Grizzly Bears!

We’ll set out early morning with a professional local bear guide. This guided bear watching trip takes place in river drift boats and rafts, which offer unique opportunities to see these animals from the river wilderness while they feed and fish for salmon on the river’s edge. Grizzly bear watching extraordinaire! If there is one way to see the beautiful kings of the forests, this drift tour is it! It’s a must do for everyone visiting the dramatic Bella Coola Valley.

After some lunch, it’s time to explore more of this beautiful valley. We’ll head out to experience one of the numerous hikes, which meander through ancient and tall giants cedars, lush green mossy forest and fern-covered undergrowth. It’s a completely different environment compared to our recent hikes in the Chilcotin. You would never guess this dramatic variety of landscapes existed so close!

Accommodation: Bella Coola Lodge, BC (All meals included)

Day 7Farewell!

Today is the last day of our adventure through The Great Canadian Wilderness... We’ll go for a walk amongst the giant cedar trees, before returning to Williams Lake, while other guests who choose to fly from Bella Coola to Vancouver, will be dropped off at the local Bella Coola Airport.

Guests returning with the guides will have a five-hour drive back to Williams Lake. The group will be returning to Williams Lake by 3pm. Thank you for travelling with us!

(Breakfast included)

Included

All accommodation and activities specified in itinerary

All meals as listed in the itinerary (6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners)